AUTHOR=Costa Wellington Junior Taisho Nagahama , Coelho Leticia Prazeres de Farias , Tembra Alan Luz , Monteiro Rayan Fidel Martins , Almeida Jose Ramon Gama , Lima Klinsmann Thiago , Botelho Anderson de Santana , Batista Raimundo Junior da Rocha , Freitas Jofre Jacob da Silva , Pinheiro Wandson Braamcamp de Souza , Oliveira Fabiola Raquel Tenorio , Oliveira Karen Renata Herculano Matos , Lima Anderson Bentes de , Amarante Cristine Bastos do , Bastos Gilmara de Nazareth Tavares TITLE=Chemical characterization, assessment of acute oral toxicity, and antinociceptive potential of the methanolic extract of Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott leaves from Brazil JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology VOLUME=15 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1475157 DOI=10.3389/fphar.2024.1475157 ISSN=1663-9812 ABSTRACT=Background

Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott is popularly known as “aninga,” “aningaçu,” “aningaíba,” and “aninga-do-igapó.” Compresses and plasters made from the leaves of this medicinal plant are used to treat abscesses, tumors, and pain caused by stingray stings.

Aim of the study

This study aimed to chemically characterize the methanolic extract of M. linifera leaves (MEMLL), as well as to verify their acute oral toxicity and antinociceptive potential.

Materials and methods

The leaves were collected during the rainy season, and the methanolic extract was obtained after gradient extraction using different solvents. MEMLL was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Acute oral toxicity testing followed the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline 423. Subsequently, acetic acid, hot plate, and formalin tests were used to evaluate the analgesic effects.

Results

In the chemical characterization of MEMLL by HPLC, three flavonoids were identified: rutin, quercetin, and epicatechin. In addition, when NMR spectroscopy was performed, rutin and quercetin were again identified, as well as the chemical compounds luteolin and chrysoeriol. In the acute oral toxicity test, MEMLL showed no physiological or behavioral changes. In the nociceptive study, MEMLL showed an effect at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg in the 0.6% acetic acid test, i.e., 51.46% and 75.08%, respectively. In the hot plate test, the MEMLL group at a dose of 50 mg/kg was effective at times of 30 and 60 min, i.e., 164.43% and 122.95%, respectively. Similarly, the MEMLL group at a dose of 100 mg/kg was also effective in increasing latency at times of 30 and 60 min, i.e., 162.62% and 136.68%, respectively. In the formalin test, MEMLL showed an antinociceptive effect on neurogenic pain at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg when compared to the control group, 35.25% and 52.30%, respectively. In the inflammatory phase, inhibition was observed in the MEMLL at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.e., 66.39% and 72.15%, respectively.

Conclusion

MEMLL has analgesic properties and is non-toxic, validating the Brazilian ethnopharmacological use of this plant for pain treatment. The leaves of the species M. linifera showed central and peripheral antinociceptive effects.